ASU was going into its game on Friday against Utah with two possibilities in mind: Utes starting quarterback Cam Rising returns from injury or he would remain inactive for a fourth straight game. Even though there was no certain answer on what was going to happen, the answer may have just come out.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!While speculation rose around if he would be able to suit up against the Sun Devils, Action Network college football insider Brett McMurphy reported that the 25-year-old is set to return for the first Big 12 matchup between the two former Pac-12 rivals.
“Utah QB Cam Rising will start Friday at Arizona State, sources told Action Network,” McMurphy said on X/Twitter. “Rising hasn’t played since Sept. 7 vs. Baylor, when he injured the ring finger on his throwing hand, requiring stitches. Rising has missed Utah’s last 3 games.”
Utah QB Cam Rising will start Friday at Arizona State, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Rising hasn’t played since Sept. 7 vs. Baylor, when he injured the ring finger on his throwing hand, requiring stitches. Rising has missed Utah’s last 3 games
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 10, 2024
Before suffering an injury to his throwing hand in the Utes’ Week 2 game vs. Baylor, Rising completed 18-of-29 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns in two games. The seventh-year senior has collected totals of 5,918 yards, 53 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during his four-year playing career overall.
Rising redshirted his first year at Texas before transferring to Utah and sitting out 2019 because of the move. He didn’t play a snap last season due to a knee injury.
Freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson, the brother of Denver Broncos QB Zach Wilson, has played in all five games this season, notching 830 yards from 68-of-122 passing. He has more picks (seven) thrown than touchdown passes (six).
Even though this is just a report and there is no 100% confirmation from Utah itself that this is indeed true, the prospect of adding Rising’s return is a game-changing move. His elusive movement in the pocket, mobility and intelligent decision-making skills make him one of the better quarterbacks in all of the Big 12.
When talking on Monday at a press conference about preparing for either Rising or Wilson, ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham wanted his own team to be ready because if they are prepared correctly and execute, it wouldn’t matter who the opponent is that stands in their way.
“We are going to prepare for Utah. Cam’s one of the best quarterbacks in college football, he’s been one of the best quarterbacks in college football and he is one of the toughest players in college football,” Dillingham said on Monday. “I think anyone who questions Cam Rising’s toughness needs to go watch him play the game of football, and I think you will put to rest the questions on Cam Rising’s toughness. We are preparing to play Cam and Isaac.
“Whoever we play, we play but more importantly we’re preparing to play us. We have to be the best versions of us on Friday, it’s the absolute truth.”
Once Rising’s status is official, Burn City Sports will keep you up-to-date.
Kick-off between ASU and Utah begins at 7:30 p.m. PT in Tempe.
Can ASU pull off massive upset victory over No. 16 Utah in battle of 2 former Pac-12 foes?
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
